It takes a lot more than an idea to build a business, but there can’t be a business without the idea. So we asked folks who’ve built wonderful businesses to tell us about how they came up with the idea in the first place.

Josie Alvidrez

Our business idea started shortly after our wedding and potentially facing multiple family financial struggles. Throughout the wedding process we realized the high cost of wedding venues and limited flexibility of the venue spaces. Our concept came from bringing back versatility to the venue spaces and allowing folks to host their event with their vision rather then forced venue concepts. We also opened our venue to help our immediate family by creating jobs to maintain themselves financially. Read More>>

Katie Fuller

The idea for AK Tallow was born out of a personal need and a desire to help other moms in Colorado. It all started with the challenging dry climate in Colorado, which led to the creation of AK’s tallow whips for personal use to combat the LITERAL mummifying weather. The real turning point came when the tallow proved effective in soothing a child’s diaper rash after other “clean” skincare products failed. Read More>>

Misty Smith

Travel has always been a passion of mine, and over the years, I’ve found immense joy in helping friends, family, and colleagues plan their vacations. Whether it’s crafting detailed itineraries or discovering unique activities, I love curating experiences that turn trips into cherished memories. This enthusiasm naturally led me to establish my own travel planning business, where I can dedicate myself to bringing others the same joy and unforgettable moments that travel has given me. Read More>>

Sami Jo Lien

The idea for my business was a bit of a winding road. I’ve always had a great love of travel, and over the years, I’ve built a pretty impressive resume of unique stays from around the world. I’ve come to really understand what makes a place feel special, and what makes you want to book it, relax in it, and tell all your friends about it. Read More>>

Stephanie Rome

My passion for supporting others to achieve optimal health was ignited by my own health struggles earlier in life. For a handful of years in my 20s, I experienced IBS and amenorrhea (which is the absence of a menstrual cycle). During that few year span, I worked with conventional doctors, as well as alternative and holistic practitioners. I even went to India and lived at an Ayurvedic panchakarma retreat center for a month! Ultimately, with the help of some wonderful holistic-minded clinicians, I was able to identify and then treat the root cause of my hormone and digestive issues using a “food as medicine” approach.  Read More>>

Lida Johnson

The idea for my business came to me later in life (my mid 50’s) —and rather unexpectedly.

I had taken a long and winding professional path, starting in Corporate IT Software. I was successful and liked the work, but over time, I felt like a small cog in a giant machine. I wasn’t making the kind of impact I wanted, and it no longer aligned with my values. Read More>>

Rachel Graham

It all began with a favor for a friend. A local non-profit, There With Care, was hosting a fundraiser and they wanted a dress, worn by a live model to serve drinks as part of the entertainment. I had worked for them previously as walk-around entertainment and when they mentioned to me they didn’t have the budget to hire a large entertainment company, my husband Robert and I stepped in. Together, we built the very first Drink Dress! The first prototype was a metal dress we built by hand in the weeks before the event. Read More>>